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Indian Pilot Praised as Hero After Foiled Flydubai Flight Attack
Confirmed
In Short: Indian pilot Smit Machchhar was hailed as a hero after he and passengers foiled an attack on a flydubai flight.
Indian pilot Smit Machchhar was hailed as a hero after he and passengers foiled an attack on a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Machchhar, saying he was covered in blood and on the floor when he managed to press the release that opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers to tackle the attacker.
Machchhar, who was stabbed by his co-pilot, was in a stable condition in a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where he underwent surgery.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh confirmed that Machchhar was receiving necessary medical attention and was in touch with his family to extend all possible help.
The flight, which had 160 Israeli passengers on board, was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
The struggle began when the co-pilot stabbed Machchhar and sent the jet plunging nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds.
Passengers and crew members entered the cockpit and subdued the attacker, enabling a second pair of flydubai pilots on board to land the jet.
Flydubai confirmed an altercation on the flight deck and said replacement crew aboard secured the aircraft.
The cause of the altercation between the pilots was not clear, and the airline stated that the reasons and motives remain unknown and are subject to a formal investigation.
Machchhar's route to the cockpit began with a different career in mind. He initially studied textile engineering, a choice connected to his family’s business.
Before joining flydubai in June 2022, he spent over 11 years at SpiceJet, serving in roles including senior commander and line training captain.
The incident highlighted the quick thinking and bravery of both the pilot and passengers, who worked together to ensure the safety of all on board.
What's confirmed
- Passengers on the flight reached Israel safely on Wednesday after customers and crew foiled the co-pilot's attempt to crash the aircraft, Israeli officials said.
- The Indian Embassy in Riyadh said the injured captain, Smit Machchhar, was in a stable condition in a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Flydubai confirmed an altercation on the flight deck and said replacement crew aboard secured the aircraft and diverted it to Tabuk.
What's still developing
- In a post on X early on Thursday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Machchhar, calling him a “hero”.
- Machchhar, who hails from India's financial capital Mumbai, underwent surgery after the incident, Indian newspaper the Hindustan Times reported.
- The flight’s tracking data told a more dramatic story.
- Yasmin Abu Kasis, whose daughter Miriam was aboard the flight, told news agency Reuters that her daughter heard screaming and reported seeing a man with a knife force one of the pilots to the floor.
- Israeli officials say the co-pilot stabbed the captain. 05:21 GMT · 34,000 ft → ~16,600 ft Flight-tracking data shows the jet losing about half its altitude in roughly a minute.